Pro Sports Blogging » Blake Buchananhttp://www.prosportsblogging.com
24/7 Real Sports TalkTue, 28 Jul 2015 02:53:39 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2LACES OUT!!!http://www.prosportsblogging.com/2010/09/10/laces-out/
http://www.prosportsblogging.com/2010/09/10/laces-out/#commentsFri, 10 Sep 2010 17:08:41 +0000Blake Buchananhttp://prosportsblogging.com/?p=16212Suit me up Coach Payton. Buy me some neon cleats. I will meet you in Metairie next practice to try out to be the place kicker. I know I am only 1-5 lifetime (at a pickup touch game) and have never attempted more than a 30 yarder, but shoot, I think with a little practice, [...]]]>

Suit me up Coach Payton. Buy me some neon cleats. I will meet you in Metairie next practice to try out to be the place kicker.

I know I am only 1-5 lifetime (at a pickup touch game) and have never attempted more than a 30 yarder, but shoot, I think with a little practice, I could do as well as Garrett Hartley.

Hey Garrett, your Dad is on the phone. He wants to have a real conversation about your career path. The Saints would not be where they are now if it weren’t for your playoff heroics, but some people who care about you are concerned that effort is going to cost the Saints a big game, forcing you into a Ray Finkle life of exile, a sex change, and hatred of Dan Marino. LACES OUT DAN!

Just quit now while you are still on top. I bet you could make an excellent living selling used cars in New Orleans. Or, I hear prosportsblogging.com is hiring.

Even after the pathetic performance of the smallest guy on the field (barely edging Drew Brees), the Saints are 1-0. For a couple of days, they own the best record in the NFL., extending the Super Bowl high for another week.

The defenses came to play. The two highest scoring offenses in the league last year combined for 23 points last night. I would have bet my right leg (or at least Garrett Hartley’s) on the over, but they must have missed it by 3 touchdowns.

The Saints didn’t need five turnovers to shut down Minnesota this time as they did in the NFC Championship. They got only one by game-time decision Jonathan Vilma which didn’t even result in a score (LACES OUT!).

It begs the question: where was Favre’s magic? Is it time for him to take the pads off and move to the golf course with the other 62-year-olds? I don’t think so. Yes, he missed some throws and he didn’t have a spectacular stat line (15 for 27 for 162 with a TD and an INT) but he was playing the defending Super Bowl champions in their house without his top receiver, Sidney Rice, and his second receiver, Percy Harvin, at about 80% because he is having to suck down Excedrin Migraine in between series and can’t see. Brad Childress probably didn’t lose any sleep thinking he should have started Tavaris Jackson.

The Saints had to shut down one weapon through the air: tight end Vinsanthe Shiancoe. The series that they failed to do that, where Favre and Shaincoe connected for 33 and 20 in consecutive plays, resulted in their only touchdown. After that, the Saints caught on and Shank didn’t catch another ball. Most of the defensive effort could be focused on stopping the ground attack.

The NFL was on showcase last night, and it couldn’t have happened in a better city. New Orleans knows how to party and it was evident with parades, tailgates and pre-game festivities including Taylor Swift and Dave Matthews playing in the French Quarter. Dave didn’t play “Crash Into Me” because the NFL didn’t want Tom Brady to have flashbacks.

The country proved they were READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL with overnight rating that were equal to game 7 of the NBA finals. WHAT?!

It was a heck of a welcome back party for the sport and the Saints. If they can figure out how to get those laces out, it should be another fun season.

]]>http://www.prosportsblogging.com/2010/09/10/laces-out/feed/0The Saints are Coming!http://www.prosportsblogging.com/2010/09/08/the-saints-are-coming/
http://www.prosportsblogging.com/2010/09/08/the-saints-are-coming/#commentsWed, 08 Sep 2010 20:44:26 +0000Blake Buchananhttp://prosportsblogging.com/?p=15923They saw it. They were there to celebrate. They partied in honor, and by golly, they want more. Saints fans have gone seven months without a game and they are ready to rock the house and get “CRUNK!” Who better to come to the dome than indecisive Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings? It was [...]]]>

They saw it. They were there to celebrate. They partied in honor, and by golly, they want more.

Saints fans have gone seven months without a game and they are ready to rock the house and get “CRUNK!”

Who better to come to the dome than indecisive Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings?

It was seen in the dreams of Favre and Viking’s fans alike; a Super Bowl victory for the quarterback yearning for more and a team that needed a thrower. No one was in their way…except the Bayou Boys.

The Vikings come into the Dome looking for revenge. Although the team looks diminished with Sidney Rice on the mend and Percy Harvin suffering from hardcore, can’t-go-to-practice-headache/migraines, they can’t be overlooked. After all, how many times has Brett dropped a jaw and broken a heart?

Favre looks to make his NFL-Record 286th consecutive start after yet-another-ridiculous retirement contemplation. His last game of the 2009 season and first of the 2010 season will be against the same opponent…or at least offense. Malcom Jenkins is expected to get the start for Darren Sharper who is out with a knee injury. Favre will most likely target that side of the field.

Questionable for the opener is Jonathan Vilma, who missed the final preseason game with a groin injury. Will the leading tackler be back for the Saints? We will know at game time.

Most of the Saints major offensive players have returned for the 2010 season. If the defense holds up, the Bayou Boys will have a legitimate chance to “Two Dat!” If not, the New Orleans fans are in for 16 high powered offensive shootouts, which will be exciting nonetheless, and may even result in a deep playoff run.

Consider this: each of the last ten super bowl champions have opened the season with a victory. With my money, do I bet against a banner-raising, Drew-Brees-led Saints team? No way!